The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-01-13
PUBLIC OPINION.
How the Democratic Disgrace Of the State of
Indiana Is Regarded Outside
Against the Conspirator.

Indiana Is Regarded Outside.
Against the Conspirator
Terre Haute Gazette DEM
The Gazette's special dispatches from Indian
apolis, as well as the dispatches to this paper
from the Associated Press, YESTERDAY described
a most extraordinary scene in the lower house
of the State Legislature, with which this paper
distinctly and expressly disavows any sympathy
whatever. The attempt to unseat Colonel Rob-
ertson Is unfair and mean; it is also unnecessary
and impolitc. There is for it no justification or
defense, except the fear that if seated ne will
rule ia the rascally manner which made in
famous the recent lieutenant governor of
OHIO.
Let the history of the case be briefly reviewed,
that the foolish position Of the self-styled lead
ers of the party at the State Capitol may be
more fully realized. The position of the Demo
cratic party was inpregnahie until the ambition
of Governor Gray, whose withdrawal is "a
blind" and the buster of Green Smith, whose
pretentioDs are offensive, weakened it. The
wrong commenced when Green Smith called the
Senate to order, instead of allowing the Auditor
of State to do so according to law it was contin-
ued when an adjourn ment was taken until Tues
day, thus preventing joint session to canvass
the vote for Lleutenant-governor. and yesterday
it was repeated when, initiating the vile tactics
of the Republicans, who interrupted Bishop
Knckerbackers prayer, it was thought to stay
proceedings by making such noise that Mr..
Robertson's inaugural could not be heard. At
this writing the telegram giving an account of
to-day's proceedings has not yet arrived, Sc that
it is not known into what fresh folly the hot
heads at the Capitol have lead the unwilling and
protesting, law-abidlng Democrats of the State.
The Gazette has frequently expressed its be-
lief that there is and will be legal vacancy In
the office of Lieutenant-governoru until the time
for which General Manson was elected has eX-
PRED and it believes the Supreme Court will so
decide If the matter is brought before 1T, but it
was Democratic Attorney general which gave
that opinion bad it is, and accepting it in good
faith both parties in State convention nomi-
mated candidates. Under no principle Of fair
ness can We now refuse Colonel Robertson his
seat
More than this Colonel Robertson, if seated,
has no power, unless he should choose to make
his name infamous by rulings patterned after
those of the Ohio man. He has no vote for SEN
ator and we have no reason to assume that he
intends to be rascal in the matter of rulings.
The Gazette hopes that enough Democratic
Senators will repudiate the proceedings to set
this matter right, and that they will then stand
shoulder to shoulder to choose Democratic
United States Senator according to the expressed
wish Of the people of the State.
The Futile Appeal to the Courts.
Chicago Times (Dem.)
The Bourbon Anarchists at Indianapolis that
failed in their attempt TO use the judiciary as
partisan club with which to break the heads of
their adversaries, appear to be greatly Disguised
their example.
''If Mr. Robertson. or any other man, will
only carry the question of Mr. Robertson's cleo
ton to the courts" the claimant Smith will
VOLUNTARILY appear" he says, in the attitude
of respondent, land if the courts decide that
Mr.. Robertson has been duly elected and is
titled to the Office, he shall have it without de-
lay" SO says the magnanlmous Smith An
other person who Also would prostitute the
judiciary TO the partisan service, if he could,
asserts that nothing could be fairer more
honorable than these propositions" of the virtu
Gus Smith From the very outset Smith has
endeavored to have the question of the lieuten-
antgovernorship determined by the courts. :"
1t is the proposition Of aw-abiding
man."
No, it is not. 1t is the proposition of man
who has been seeking and is still seeking avoid
ana overset the law of Indiana, which declares
expressly that elections for Governor and Lieu
tenant governor shall be determined by the Gen
era Assembly"
The wild notion (which seems to be accepted
or rejected IN Indiana according to the convent
the wishes of partisan potiesstrosl that
the judiciary can assume dominion over the execu-
tive and the legislative parts of the Constitution
to suit the purposes of an extralegal ring of
Office brokers, is incorrect.
The courts have nothing to do with any cues
ton that has been raised by the vlrtuous Smith,
any other man, touching Robertson's election.
The proper and constitutional tribunal for the
determination of any such question is the Gen
eral Assembly. 1t is to the credit OF Mr.. Rob
ertson that he has calmly awaited the decision
OF that constitutional tribunal. 1t is to the dis
credit of the ''iaw -abiding" Mr.. Smith and his
anarchcal hackers that they have exhausted
their utmost ingenuity devisne ways and means
to prevent decision Of the question py that the
only tribunal that mas constitutional deciding
power over it.
The conduct of Smith ct al. has been exactly
that of certain persons that undertook, in 1875
to nullify the election in this city on the propo-
sition to reorganize the city under the general
municipal corporation act The election took
place; the returns were delivered, as the law di-
rected, to the Board of Aldermen, whose duty it
was made by positive law to canvass them and
officially declare the result 1t was we'll known
that large majority of the electors had voted
for reorganization; the desperate adversariss of
that programme resolved, therefore, as last re-
sort, to ask court of chancery arrest the
course Of law and Dullify the election by issuing
an injunction restraining the Board Of Aldermen
from doing what the law expressly coRmanded
them to do. The pretense was. as in Indiana,
ilegality of the election A Judge was found
who did not hesitate to magnify his Office to that
of a political sovereign. The writ of injunction
issued was served upon the aldermen, who,
under the advice of counsel. disregarded he
mandate Of the chancellor and obeyed the law,
| canvassing and declaring the election. The en-
| ragged chancellor summoned them to answer for
| contempt, and after hearing argument, SEN
| fenced them pay heavy fines; bat consider
atelv suspended execution of his Judgment In
| order to permit hearing before the Supreme
| Court. That tribunal sent the case back with
| an intimation exceedingly plain to the irase
| chancellor that the judicial power was not the
political omnpotence on earth that he fancied
/ it was
Down to the point where the Indiana court
refused to be used a partisan utensil Tor an
unclean political purpose, the proceeding of MIR.
| A g. Smith and lis anarchical cenfreres stood
| on all tours with the proceeding of the Chicago
| parties that set out to override the political
power in favor of particular ring by the pre-
tended omnipotence of court of chancery.
| Having failed in their vrtuous undertaking
Smith at al are now yilifvino Richardson for moi